Future Physical Therapy Essay

As one progresses into a professional career, it is necessary to develop and build upon a distinct vision for one’s future patients and consider how one might convey that vision. The American Physical Therapy Association’s vision is “transforming society by optimizing movement to improve human experience.” As a future physical therapist, I will personally embody this vision by engaging with my patients with an emphasis on movement in order to heal, rebuild, and rehabilitate.

In physical therapy, it is imperative to understand that movement is key to healing and rehabilitating. A patient does not attend physical therapy to receive a lecture on the exercises he or she is to perform in order to improve what they came to improve upon; instead, physical therapists demonstrate and work closely with their patients in order to accomplish the most improvement. There must be a genuine connection between the physical therapist and the patient in order to create a difference.

Another aspect of my vision includes gaining a healthy lifestyle.

The vision defined by APTA has seven main principles to follow in order to promote a healthy lifestyle: identity, quality, collaboration, innovation, value, consumer-centricity, access, and advocacy. As a future physical therapist, I will embody these principles to promote movement amongst my future patients. I will identify the area or region of the body that needs rehabilitation or strengthening and accurately describe the importance of that muscle, area, or region to the patient. I will then outline how specific exercises will improve movement and eliminate activity limitations or restrictions. Together, the patient and I will set an overarching long-term goal for the therapy sessions in order to have something ascertainable to work

toward.

The quality of my care will be a 100% commitment to each patient in order to provide the best quality care and improvement for my patient’s lifestyle. I will not be alone in this mission, as I will collaborate with others when necessary in order to deliver the highest care possible. I will consult with any specialists or general practitioner to see if my work in physical therapy is benefiting any other areas of the patient’s life or if I am pushing my patient too hard. I will dedicate full attention to each patient so as to promote the greatest improvement. I want my patients to feel good about leaving physical therapy, knowing that he or she is improving and working toward a healthier lifestyle.

In practice, I will use my ingenuity to adapt to new devices, technology, or exercise equipment created for the betterment of my patients. I will remain open-minded toward new exercises and techniques as I am constantly learning new things each and every day while practicing. At all times, the patient will come first, and his or her values and goals will be heard. We will work in a collaboration in order to create a nurturing and safe environment to ensure the best form of improvement over the course of a patient’s therapy sessions. As a future physical therapist, I will advocate for patients in practice, education, and research in order to promote change. I will make sure that the patient is the highest priority.

As I work toward the actualization of my goal—becoming a physical therapist—I will keep in mind that movement is not only in the body but also in the mind. The philosophies of movement stretch beyond the four walls of the physical therapy office into the home as well as the community. I am determined to devote myself to each future patient and truly make a difference in their lives. Throughout the duration of my career, I will be a health and lifestyle advocate, motivating my patients into wanting to improve or rehabilitate their body and mind. I will develop and build upon my foundation of knowledge and skills, walking away with lasting values and a good work ethic and knowing that achieving goals is not as difficult as a patient might think.